As part of the substantive renewal and modernization of the Main Group, this impressive new structure anchors the Department of Physics and encourages new patterns of communication within the community.

Themes:Renovation and renewalSustainabilityEnhancement of life and learning

Completion:2007

As part of the substantive renewal and modernization of the Main Group, this impressive new structure anchors the Department of Physics and encourages new patterns of communication within the community.

Overview

Status

Complete

Completion Date

2007

Themes and priorities

Renovation and renewal

Sustainability

Enhancement of life and learning

The dynamic new center unifying the Department of Physics in Building 6C is the cornerstone of a significant infrastructure upgrade of MIT's historic Bosworth Buildings 4, 6, and 8, completed in 2007. The Green Center enhances interactions among faculty, students, and staff, allowing them to share ideas and create collaborations.

This five-story contemporary glass structure was constructed inside an underutilized service courtyard. In addition to serving the Department of Physics, this project created a new paradigm for housing and distributing 21st-century infrastructure to the 100-year old, one million square foot complex. At once a technical engine and social connector, the innovative structure succeeds in establishing new pathways for people and systems without compromising the Main Group’s programmatic vitality.

The overall expansion and renovation of the Main Group has provided significant infrastructure renewal and modernization. It has also continued the Institute’s energy initiative by replacing the 90-year-old windows in the courtyard with a modern efficient window system that respects the historical significance of the Main Group.

The Green Center honors Cecil and Ida Green, who have made a leadership gift for Physics. Others who made substantial contributions to the project include Neil (E.E. '64) and Jane Pappalardo, Virgil Elings (physics Ph.D. '66), and Jim (physics S.B. '53, Ph.D. '57) and Sylvia Earl.

Scope

Design Features

Provides upgrades for future renovations in Building 8 and the north half of Building 4

Upgrades life safety in all of Buildings 4, 6, and 8

Awards

The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education (AIA-CAE) named Payette the recipient of the Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture for Building Additions.

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In the News

Chilled beams hit the roof; cooling devices are a relatively recent innovation to make its way to the US market. Called chilled beams, use water, not air, to remove heat from a room; MITei, July 16, 2009